Skittering the fly sounds like a good plan. I’ll have to give it a try that way. The tandem dry with a nymph dropper is a good idea. I do have some success with nymphs in the margins of the stream when I see them crawling on the bank in the snow. Most guys stand in the water that they should be fishing in. I suppose most fish are too lethargic to rise, and take the nymph when it’s put right in front of its nose. The nymph pattern I use is very simple:

No need for a wing case on such a small fly. I also tie up some nymphs substituting the dubbed abdomen with all black wire to add more weight to the fly.

I haven’t fished much lately during winter stonefly time. I fished it all the time when I lived in the Poconos a few years ago. I’m going to make it my business to fish the stonefly hatch this winter. Heck, somebody has to do it!

This is good stuff. Maurice, I tied a couple using the pattern you described. They look very fishy. Am copying other patterns now and will give them a try. If anyone subscribes to American Angler, there's an early black stonefly article. Actually, if you don't subscribe, look for it on the news stands, there are a number of good articles for us East coast guys.Coughlin